Charlotte,NC – The Charlotte Invasion (3-1) took on the Atlanta Monarchs Sunday afternoon at Charlotte Latin School in one of the league’s top games of the weekend.
Two of the WBCBL’s premier teams faced off in front of an intense home crowd on a hot and humid Sunday afternoon down on Providence Road. With tip-off slated for 2pm, both teams came in undefeated hoping to keep their respective streaks alive, however it was the Atlanta Monarchs (6-0) that came away victorious, 87-74.
The Monarchs were led by former Atlanta Dream combo guard and Fayetteville,NC native Meighan Simmons. Simmons, a four year starter at the University of Tennesee, was a two time SEC player of the year award winner. The sharp shooting guard played two years under Hall of Fame Head Coach Pat Summitt before ultimately being drafted 26th overall by the New York Liberty in 2014.
“The game plan was to play hard and be aggressive,” said the former Lady Vol. “We wanted to communicate, get rebounds, play solid defense and control the tempo of the game.”
Meghan Simmons (24) goes up for a lay-up in Sunday’s game at Charlotte Latin.
Playing its second game in as many days, the Monarchs lead by as many as 17 points in the third period before the Invasion stormed back to cut the deficit down to six. However, the Invasion could not stop the crisp ball movement of the Monarchs who were able to penetrate through Charlotte’s trademark full court trap defense which led to oft wide open three pointers for Simmons.
“Patience”, said Simmons, when asked how they were able to handle Charlotte suffocating defense. “Their pressure defense causes alot of turnovers but in order to break the press we had to be patient and make short passes.”
Team owner and acting Interim Head Coach Tonya Phifer called necessary time-outs to give her team guidance to slow down the opposition. The Monarchs nonetheless continued to display precise shooting from the field through the game along with excellent ball protection, not providing Charlotte with the turnovers it relies on to get out in the open floor.
Charlotte Invasion Executive Director/Interim Head Coach Tonya Phifer talks to her players during the second half of Sunday’s game against the Monarchs.
While the Invasion will be in the mix to capture its second national title in four years, the Monarchs (which feature eight former WNBA basketball players) appear poised to chase its first ever National Championship in August as the city of Charlotte will host the WBCBL’s 14th annual National Tournament.
The Invasion will look to rebound at home Saturday June 9, 2018 against neighboring Huntersville Hornets at 2pm.
Next Game: Charlotte Invasion vs. Huntersville Lady Hornets
Cost: $10
Where: 9502 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
When: June 9, 2018
